Esther Marina Jiron of Lafayette, Colorado passed away Saturday, September 22, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. She was born December 29, 1936 in Pagosa Springs, Colorado to Fernandez and Criotilde Martinez. She married Ernesto Orlando Jiron on February 8, 1954 in Taos, New Mexico and he survives. Also surviving are their children Yvonne Jiron, Tina Jiron (Arturo) Cornejo, Orlando (Rose) Jiron, Angela (Michael) Jiron-Mendoza, John (Pearl) Jiron, seven grandchildren, Adria Jiron, Rosalind and Keisha Jiron, Orlando and Alonzo Jiron, Philip (Danielle), Sophia and Leah Mendoza, and four great grandchildren; Destiny and Serenity Jiron, Leticia and Aidan Speer. Sister, Cordelia (Jose) Moran, brothers Alfonso (Nickie) Martinez and Lonnie Martinez, many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including her three loyal four-legged friends, Sky, Thunder and Oso.

Esther was a long time resident of Monte Vista, Colorado where she lived prior to moving to Boulder, Colorado in 1971, to pursue a degree in Sociology and Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She spent her working career in social work, education and health care.

She loved her work tremendously, but reluctantly retired at seventy because her dedication to her family came first. She taught her children a strong work ethic, the enjoyment of a simple life and the importance of family, she also emphasized the importance of respect and an open mind. Esther loved her husband and children unconditionally, but her husband, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her source of strength and motivation to continue the difficult battle she was fighting. Her idea of happiness was spending time with her husband and family, playing card games with her grandkids, genealogy research and a backyard full of chickens. She enjoyed an occasional trip to the casinos in Black Hawk and scratching a lucky lottery ticket.

Esther fought ovarian cancer bravely without complaint. Her courage to fight this disease was inspiring, she was always ready for the next bout of treatment, even her doctors were amazed by her strength and fortitude. She was a caring, loving, fiercely independent proud woman and she has left a void that can never be filled.

Esther is preceded in death by her parents; Fernandez and Tillie Martinez, sister, Carolina Martinez, daughter Annette Jiron, brothers and sisters-in-law, John (Irene) Martinez, Joe (Patricia) Martinez, Abraham Martinez and nieces Anna Moran, Lisa and Nancy Martinez.

A Rosary is scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2018 at 7:00 pm and a Mass, Friday, October 12, 2018 at 10:00 am both at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow at the San Luis Valley Cemetery in Monte Vista, Colorado.